“My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature.” Claude Monet
When we moved to O Rosal two years ago today, we never anticipated being so encapsulated by the beauty of nature. The mornings are so breathtaking, with the crisp cool air, the drops of dew covering the foliage of the roses and seeing the morning light illuminate the leaves of the vineyard below us. It truly is a place of wonder, it’s almost as if time stops being in our garden. We have created a little slice of paradise at La Casa del Castaño that inspires us to create and be present in the moment.
In May we took a 4 day trip to Paris, for a few milestone celebrations. Kyle was turning 50 and our 20th wedding anniversary was coming up in July. While in Paris, we took a trip up to Giverny to experience Monet’s garden. It’s the one thing we never had the opportunity to do when we were in Paris 13 years ago.
In 2020 Denver Co had a large Monet exhibit and we had the opportunity to see his paintings in person at the Denver Art Museum.
We’ve seen Monet’s paintings, and have heard about his home and gardens in Giverny, but didn’t have a lot of knowledge about his story aside from leading the way of impressionism art in the 1800s.
Visiting the garden we were blown away by the large scale of the lily pond and Japanese gardens. On one side of the path was bamboo creating a stunning background for the variety of ornamental grasses, on the other side of the path was a rambling rose with soft pink clusters covering the fence. Following the path led to a pond with Japanese maples in the background and a large Rheum palmatum. We couldn’t help but get excited for the possibilities of our own gardens. We spotted similar plants we have at home that haven’t matured and grown to their full potential just yet.
As we turned the corner we were awestruck by the vast lily pond we recognized from his paintings. Your eye is drawn to the bright Kelly green Japanese inspired bridge covered in wisteria vines. Various heights of foxglove, grasses, cosmos, ferns, asters, and clematis all melt together along the perimeter of the pond.
As we made our way to the flower garden we were speechless by the beds of harmonizing colors, prints, textures and heights from the iris’s, poppies, alliums, lupin, daisies, cosmos and clematis.
The immense repeating metal kelly green arches covered in climbing roses of all varieties and types. Monet's garden was a feast for all of your senses, it was a true work of art. With 10 minutes to spare, we made our way to see the inside of his home. The home was an extension of his garden. The rooms were brightly colored, inviting the light in, and drawing attention to the architectural details painted in a contrasting color. The walls were adorned with his own paintings and paintings from his friends, family, and work he was inspired by.
Leaving his home I was intrigued to learn more about his story.
Monet stumbled upon their soon to be house in Giverny on one of his walks in the countryside seeking out inspiration for his paintings.
He fell in love with the village, and purchased their family home when he was 43. He bought the house, gradually expanding it, clearing trees, he would dig, plant seeds and hoe and in the evening his kids would help water.
“Giverny was above all his own creation, made with the labor of his own hands.”
Monet was a trailblazer in his unconventional approach to design and his vision to create a color garden. He was a self taught gardener that created masterpieces on and off the canvas. In his garden he was confident of what he wanted and free from judgments, when he created art he was challenged by indecision, self doubt and was high tempered.
Giverny became his life’s work, which later inspired the work he would become to be known for, “The water Lilies”.
“It took him a while to understand my water lilies. I had planted them for pleasure; I grew them without thinking of painting them. You don’t absorb a landscape in a single day.”
Claude Monet's home and gardens at Giverny sat vacant for about 20 years before Gérald Van der Kemp took charge of its restoration. Monet passed away in 1926, and the property remained largely unattended until Van der Kemp began the restoration efforts in the late 1970s.
Monet’s life’s work of creating his gardens inspired him to paint, and now those same paintings would be used to help Gérald Van der Kemp restore his masterpiece from disrepair and neglect.
Paris is a magical and enchanting place, we packed our 4 days full of art, architecture, food, music and lots of walking! I walked away with so much inspiration that left me with the question: What’s our life’s work?
Before moving to our little village in Pancenteo, we thought our life’s work was creating a lifestyle brand of ethical and sustainable businesses that made a positive impact on the lives of our workers and our customers while keeping it sustainable for the planet.
Now celebrating two years living in Spain, our life’s work looks a little different. It’s about creating a life we are excited to wake up to everyday. Looking out our front door to our life’s work, a beautiful garden. Full of mature trees, flowers, pollinators, birds, and getting to take care of all the stray cats in our yard along with our own to have a better life.
Monet’s garden inspired him to create masterpieces, and ours reminds us how important nature is for a happier and healthier wellbeing.
Our journey to Giverny was an insightful experience. In addition to taking a million photos, I also gathered valuable advice on how Monet lived his life, which I’ll always keep in my back pocket.
Never stop trying
If you have a vision and the drive, what are you waiting for
Think out of the box
When your mind is hijacked with self doubt and worry, get to gardening
Be inspired by nature
If you get the opportunity to travel to Paris, I wouldn’t miss going to Giverny. We will definitely be going back!
